Marcus Davis scores unanimous MMA decision

MALMO, Sweden — Bangor’s Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis won a three-round unanimous decision over local favorite David “The Brazilian Swede” Bielkheden in their welterweight mixed martial arts that was the co-main event of Superior Challenge 8 at the Malmo Arena on Saturday night.

The 39-year-old Davis, competing in an MMA cage for the first time in nearly a year, improved his record to 21-9, while Bielkheden, 33, fell to 17-12.

According to mmaviking.com, Davis won each of the five-minute rounds, using his boxing skills and counterattacking to keep much of the match off the mat while frustrating Bielkheden, a Brazilian ju-jitsu black belt who continually attempted takedowns but was largely unsuccessful.

Davis had Bielkheden in trouble late in the opening round of this 170-pound battle of former UFC competitors, putting the Swedish fighter on his back. Davis then knocked down Bielkheden twice early in the second round to take full control of the fight.

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Bielkheden scored a takedown midway through the third round but was unable to follow through as Davis returned to a standing position and went on to control the late action against his tiring opponent.

“I felt very confident as long as we were standing or I was on top when we were on the ground,” said Davis in a post-fight interview, “and that’s where 90 percent of the fight took place.”